There was a collective scratching of heads at the end of this match as to how a team who had played so fluently and confidently pre-season and into the opening matches failed to even get started.

Nothing seemed to go right with the inability to string more than a couple of passes together and constant giving the ball away allowing a capable by limited Cadbury side to hassle their there way to a deserved point.

Playing on the TSA ground is not easy but it is a bit like sailors complaining about the sea. Sporting played down the slope in the first half and had the much better of the game in the opening exchanges though as with previous matches failed to convert their dominance and chances into goals.

Nathan Walker found former Rousler Reece Francis between the sticks for Cadbury in good form as early as the 4th minute when the stocky 'keeper parried a well-struck half-volley. Then three minutes later Tony Clarke's effort was similarly kept out by Francis.

Indeed it was 20 minutes before Cadbury had their first effort but Anthony Fletcher 's drive was saved low by Chris Jay.
Sporting had several corners and free-kicks that came close but by a mixture of desperate defending and sheer bad fortune nothing went over the goal line.

Finally though in the 42nd minute, Cadbury's risky tactics worked against then as Jak Walton bundled over Tony Clarke in the box. Chris Lloyd duly converted the penalty blasting hard and wide past Francis' outstretched left arm giving Sporting the lead.

With Cadbury pushing forward after the interval Sporting found themselves with slightly more space but time after time the ball was lost and promising build-ups ruined. However chances were carved out and both Clarke and Keenen Meakin-Richards grazed the bar whilst Francis made a top draw save from Lloyd on 66 minutes.

Now if was the turn of the home side to rue their luck as substitute Jevaughni Robinson saw his half-volley cleared of the line. Cadbury finally got on to the score sheet with just five minutes to go when an unmarked Anthony Fletcher saw Chris Jay well off his line and hit a lob over the back four from 30 yards. Aaron Roberts gave chance but with the wicked slope against him, failed to get to the ball as it went over the line for the equaliser.

And that really was it as neither side were able to create anything further and the match finally fizzled out to a draw with 3 added minutes on the clock.

Cadbury: Reece Francis, Stuart Cooke, Jake Wicketts, Jak Walton (Capt.), Lewis Cosgrove, Tom Brain, Deon Colstock (Josh Westwood 73 mins), Jack McGinn (Jevaughni Robinson 69 mins), Stuart Butcher, Anthony Fletcher, Brett Lloyd.
Unused substitutes: Ryan Pierpoint, Chris Tranter, Kenny Sanders.
Goal: Anthony Fletcher (85 mins)
Yellows: Lewis Cosgrove (3 mins), Jak Walton (42 mins), Tom Brain (90 mins)

Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Danny Morris, Jake Willcox, Luke Edwards (Joe Haines 81 mins), Keenen Meakin-Richards (Sean Brain 58 mins), Robbie Bunn, Tony Clarke, Chris Lloyd, Nathan Walker (Lucky Nwosu 82 mins).
Scorer: Chris Lloyd (42 mins - penalty).
Subs not used: Brendan Kelly, Craig Jones.
Yellows: Keenen Meakin-Richards (55 mins), Sean Brain (69 mins)
Referee: Mr R Williams (Coventry)
Assistants: Mr P Rodway (Rubery), Mr K Tibbatts (Rubery)

Weather: Showers, cool
Crowd: 235

Sporting MoM: Danny Morris
Reporter: Phil Baker